A perennial favorite, the Attack's fourth incarnation has grown up a bit. It was a lightweight competition shoe, and now it is a middleweight protective model, offering more motion control than its predecessors. For example, its flared forefoot wards off lateral ankle sprains with accentuated stability and the Attack 4's forefoot base is 5mm wider than the Attack 3. For additional lateral support, the midfoot features a molded shank system similar to those found in ASICS' road shoes. Other modifications include more aggressive outsole lug patterns (dual directional for uphill and downhill traction and braking), and a new lacing system for a more secure instep. As a carryover, the Attack retains its rear and forefoot GEL cushioning and flexible, lightweight forefoot plate for protection against bone bruising from push-through intruders, all of which testers found combined for comfort but hindered some of the supreme responsiveness and agility of previous versions of the shoe. Overall, the shoe felt great out of the box, was sufficiently protective for moderately technical trails, had a roomy toe box and comfortable fit for a trainer.